Timeline Diagram V

Introduction to Accessibily

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20xx

Plan

Overview of Accessibility

Creating Accessible Content

WCAG 2.1 Principles

GOAL

START

Ethical and Legal Obligations

Accessible Course Design

WCAG 2.1 Principles

Below you will find an overview of the 4 main principles of WCAG (2.1). We will dive deeper into each principle later in this module.

• Perceivable: Making Content Sensory-Friendly
• Operable: Ensuring Easy Navigation and Interaction
• Understandable: Clarifying Content and Instructions
• Robust: Ensuring Compatibility and Flexibility

Overview

Accessibility in digital environments refers to the practice of designing and developing content, websites, and applications in a way that ensures people of all abilities, including those with disabilities, can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with digital content effectively. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), establish a set of standards to make web content more accessible for users with diverse needs, including those with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. WCAG 2.1 is structured around four key principles to guide accessible design: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (often referred to as POUR). Each principle includes specific guidelines and success criteria that provide actionable techniques for making content more accessible, which we will explore thorughout this module.

Learn More about WAGS

Accessible Course Design

Below are suggestions for how to ensure accessible course design • Consistent layout and navigation • Clear instructions and expectations • Multiple ways to access information • Flexible assignment submission options

Legal and Ethical Obligations

Accessibility compliance in digital environments is guided by legal and ethical obligations to ensure inclusivity. Key laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require accessible digital content, aligning with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, applying to websites and online services of public-facing businesses. Section 508 mandates that federal agencies make their digital content accessible. Ethically, accessible design fosters inclusivity and respect, creating a digital environment that supports equal access for all users and enhances usability for a broader audience.

Overview of Accessibility

Accessibility in digital environments refers to the practice of designing and developing content, websites, and applications in a way that ensures people of all abilities, including those with disabilities, can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with digital content effectively. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), establish a set of standards to make web content more accessible for users with diverse needs, including those with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities.WCAG 2.1 is structured around four key principles to guide accessible design: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (often referred to as POUR). Each principle includes specific guidelines and success criteria that provide actionable techniques for making content more accessible, which we will explore thorughout this module.

Learn More about WAGS 2.1!

Create Accessible Content

Ensuring your content is accesible is crucial for success for all learners. Use the following guidelines to create accessible content.

• Use clear, simple language
• Provide alternative text for images
• Use proper heading structure
• Multimedia
• Add captions to videos
• Provide transcripts for audio
• Use high-contrast colors